Lubricator for the wheel flanges of rail vehicles



March 30,1926. 1,579,110,

A. HEUSER LUBRICATOR FOR THE WHEEL FLANGES OF RAIL VEHICLES Filed Oct. 29, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 30,1926. 1,579,110

I A. HEUSER LUBRICATOR FOR THE WHEEL FLANGES 0F RA IL VEHICLES Filed Oct. 29, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- patented 3t}, ltlZti.

2; h J ee ALBERT HEUSER, E STUTTGART, GERMANY.

LUBRICATOR FOR THE WHEEL FLANG-ES 01* RAIL VEHICLES.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that Liinniinr Hnosnn, a citizen of Germany, residing at 21 Ehinannstrasse, Stuttgart, lVnrttembei-g, Germany, have invented certain new and useful linprovei'nents in Lubricators tor the lVheel Flanges of Rail Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a device for lubricating the flanges of the wheels of vehicles running on rails, particularly those of locomotives, and moreover to the lubrication of just that part of the wheel flange which is subjected to the most wear and tear,

namely the rounded angle formed by the flange and the tread of the wheel.

The invention contemplates the )lOVlSiOH of a lubricating device, in which the lubricating agent, such grease or oil, is supplied to the tread and flange of the wheel by balls, which are brought alternat ly into contact with the flange of the wheel and are continuously or intermittently supplied with a lubricant. For the purpose the balls,

whe l and with the ilange parts wn which act as transferi tor the lubricant,

are arranged in the form of circle or sector in a casing or cage, which has a rotary or pendulum-like :teed motion imparted to it relatively to the tread of the wheel, so that a fresh ball isalways brought into contact with the tread or flange of the wheel to be lubricated. I he use of balls enables them to be brought as carriers of the lubricant into contact sin'iultaneously with thetread oi the h have an entirely dilierent periplusral speed. Any heating up of the. balls which supplythe lubricantis prevented by their remaining in contact with the wheel for a short time only and then being moved on automatically. The method of supplying the lubricant and moving the balls on may be any that may be desired.

The lubricating device according to the present invention is also so arranged that the balls are enabled to follow not only all movements of the axle vertically but also any axial movements of the wheel.-

The subject matter of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing by several constructional forms by way of example.

Figure 1 shows in elevation an oil teed lubricating device with balls arranged in the form of a circle.

Application filed flctobcr 29, 1925. Serial hie. 65,695.

a la ger scale than Fig. 1.

of construction to ulni'icating by means of grease, also with rue balls arranged in a circle.

Figure is an enlarged View of this lubricating device in partial axial section.

. Figure 5 is an elevationot anothercon structional form of lubricator with the balls arranged in form oi a sector. r

In the constructional form shown in Figure 1 the balls a are arranged in a circle in disc-like casing or cage 6, from the axle c of which they are supplied with the lubricating oil through radial passages (Z for example which terminate at a "felt aad e or the like against which the balls beer. The ball casing Z) is mounted to rotate on its axle c and is arranged at an angle relatively to the plane oi the, wheel so that the balls a run freely in the angle between the flange g and the tread 17b of the wheel The whole arrangement is connected to the axle bearing k, so that it automatically follows every vertical movement of the wheel. The oil' is supplied to the ball casing 1 through a pipe Z for example which is provided with a flexible expansion loop m. ll hether the oil be supplied by one of the well known forced lubrication devices or from a reservoir by gravity is ii'ninaterial as far as the present invention is concerned. i

The ball which is lubricated by the oilaturated telt pad 6 consequently bears against the wheel and the flange thereof and rolls over them in accordance with the vary-.

ing peripheral speed of its points of contact. After the wheel has revolved a certain number of tim s the ball casing is turned a step by means of a ratchet lever a, pawl 0 and ratchet 7) so that a :tresh ball is brought into contact with the periphery of the wheel.

Figures 3 and at show apreferred term of construction for lubrication by means of grease. In this also the balls a are mounted in a casing b but are held on ball bearings Q by cages f. The casing Z) is also adapted to rotate on an axle s which is pivotally con-' nected by means of a bolt n to a supporting bracket 2? fixed to the axle bearing is. The ball casing b is moved around by means oi a ratchet wheel 11) pawl 0 and ratchet lever n as in the first mentioned constructional form.

in elevation Off a modified form Above the ball casing is mounted a grease reservoir 1& through the arched sieve o in the bottom of which the grease exudes and adheres to the bails which pass over the sieve and squeeze the grease out of it.

in order to make the apparatus yield to the necessary movements of the axle the axle .9 of the ball casing is pivotally con nected as already stated to its carrier bracket 25, while the balls are pressed both by the weight of the device and by an eccentrically acting spring 20 against the flange of the wheel. 3. spring a: is also provided which surrounds the axle s and presses the casing 71 againstthe flange of the wheel in such a way that the balls are brought. into contact therewith reliably and yet are able to yield to any aXiai n'rovement oi the wheel.

Figure 5 shows more diagi'ainmatically an arrangement in which the balls (5 are arranged in a ctor-shapcd using 1 and are supplied with the lubricant: by pads g with which they are brought into contact alternately by a pendulum-like movement and which are supplied with the ubricant lrom reservoirs Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:

1. A vehicle wheel lubricator, comprising a series of balls arranged in an arcuate row; means for supplyi lubricant to the balls; and means tor bri gmg the balls successively into operative engagement with the tread of a wheel to be lubricated.

2. A vehicle wheel lubricator, comprising a series of balls; a carrier wherein the balls are arranged in an aii'cuate row; means for supplying lubricant to the balls; and means for shifting the position of the carrier to bring the balls successively into operative engagement with the tread of a wheel to be lubricated.

3. A lubricator, according to claim 2, in which the ball carrier is so arranged as to cause the balls to travei in the angle between the flange and the tread of the wheel.

1' vehicle wheel lnbricator, comprising a series of balls, at rotatably mounted carrier wherein the balls are arranged in an areaate row; means for supplying lubricant to the balls; and means for imparting rotary movement to the carrier to bring the balls successively into operative engagement with the tread of a wheel to be lubricated.

A vehicle wheel lubricator, comprising a circular series of balls; a carrier wherein the balls are mounted; means for supplying lubricant to the balls; and a pawl-andratchet device for im )arting a step-by-step rotary movement to the carrier to bring the balls successively into operative engagement with the tread of a wheel to be lubricated.

6. A vehicle wheel lnbricator, comprising a series of balls; :1 carrier wherein the balls are arranged in an arcuate row; a grease reservoir above the carrier having a pcrlorated bottom through which the grease exudes; and means for shifting the position of the carrier to bring the successive balls first into contact with the exuded grease and then into operative engagement with the tread o l a wheel to be lubricated.

7. fr vehicle wheel labricator, comprising a series 01 balls; :1 carrier wherein the balls are arranged in an arcnate row: a grease reservoir above the carrier having a bottom tor-med by an arched sieve through which the gre se exudes: and means for shifting the position of the carrier to bring the successive halls lirst into contact with the exuded grease and then into operative engagement with the tread on" a wheel to be lubricated.

8. A. vehicle wheel lubricator, comprising a series of balls; a ca rier wherein the balls are arranged in an arcuate re a grease reservoir above the carrier having a peri orated bottom through which the grease exudes; and means for imparting a step-bystep rotary movement to the car icr to bring the successive balls first into contact with the exuded grease and then into operative enga ement with the trend of a whccl to be lubricated.

A vehicle wheel luhricator. comprising a series of balls; a carrier wherein the balls are arranged in a circular row; a suppoi-ting bracket for the carrier connected to the axle oi. the wheel to be lubricated so as to mo (e therewith; means for supplying lubricant to the balls; and means tor shifting the position or the carrier to bring the balls successively into operative engagement with the tread oi? the wheel.

10. A. vehicle wheel lubricator, comprising a series of balls; a carrier wherein the balls are arranged in a circular row; a supporting bracket for the carrier connected to the axle of the wheel to be lnbricatcd so as to movetherewith; an axle whereon the carrier is revolubly mounted pivotally attached to said bracket; means tor supplying lubricant to the balls; and means for imparting rotary movement to the carrier to bring the balls successively into operative engagement with the tread ot' the wheel.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

ALBERT HE USER. 

